One year of demonetisation: Opposition parties plan protests across states on November 8

Some opposition leaders maintained that instead of joint programmes, they may opt for simultaneous events keeping in mind the regional political sensitivities.

Key opposition party leaders decided on Monday to launch protests across the states on November 8 on the fallout of demonetisation as it completes one year, in a bid to corner the government.

People stand in a queue outside the Reserve Bank of India building in New Delhi to submit their demonetised banknotes on the last day of currency exchange in New Delhi on March 31, 2017. (Ravi Choudhary/HT File Photo)

At a meeting of the Opposition leaders, some parties, however, maintained that instead of joint programmes, they may opt for simultaneous events keeping in mind the regional political sensitivities.

“In Tamil Nadu, the communists can share a stage with Congress, DMK and other parties, but in Kerala or West Bengal, there can be separate arrangements,” said a Leftist leader.

“Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and I will be speaking to representatives of 18 regional parties on the joint action plan that is being proposed,” breakaway Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav told HT.

At Monday’s meeting, the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to delay the announcement of the Gujarat assembly elections is said to have come up for discussions. The meeting also reviewed the adverse fallout on the country’s economy at the close of one year of the NDA government’s decision to demonetise big currency notes.

Earlier, the Congress demanded that polls in Gujarat be immediately declared and the model code of conduct enforced.

“Why is the EC becoming an unnecessary party to the BJP’s attempt to run away from the polls? The EC has the constitutional responsibility and mandate,” party spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

The opposition party also alleged that the BJP was trying to delay Gujarat polls for its last-minute efforts to woo the voters with sops announced by the Prime Minister.

Tewari claimed that the BJP is aware that it is difficult to repeat its government in Gujarat, alleging that the ruling party is “desperate” and is making every effort, including use of muscle and money power and “street instrumentalities with Prime Minister virtually shifting the capital from Delhi to Gandhinagar, to somehow retain Gujarat”.